New Home

I am on the quest for a new home. It will take me awhile because I want to be sure that everything I want will be incorporated into the house. Since I’m not in a big rush, I have time to research, investigate and see things first hand before implementing them into my own design. As I learn, it will all be shared with you. This will give us the opportunity to find out all the pros and cons before I take the plunge!

I have been raving on and on about storage shipping container homes for awhile, so I decided it was time to actually sit down to investigate the feasibility of building one.

What Is A Shipping Container?

A shipping container is a very strong container used to ship items all over the world. The “international shipping container” is also known as the “intermodal freight container.” These containers can be moved from one form of transport to another (ship, rail, truck) without having to unload and then reload the product. They are highly efficient for shipping.

Most steel shipping containers are constructed in 20 foot and 40 foot lengths. To give you an idea of the size, a common container has the following measurements:

Pros And Cons Of A Shipping Container Home

The most obvious use of a steel shipping container is to ship products all over the world with efficiency, lower cost and ease. However, there is another use that has become popular – shipping container homes. Let’s talk about the pros and cons of using a shipping container as the framework of a home instead of steel or wood beams.

Pros Of A Shipping Container Home

You are using recyclable materials

Easy construction

Low cost to cool and heat

Highly functional

Inexpensive to construct in comparison to an equal sized traditional home

Durable

Versatile

A home can be quickly constructed

Watertight

Can be stacked to created high ceilings or multiple stories high

Sturdy, structurally strong and can withstand harsh weather

Secure

Plentiful and always available

Transportable

Cons Of A Shipping Container Home

Very narrow if used singly

Zoning permits do not allow container homes in all areas

Rusts if not treated properly

Some container coatings have lead in the paint

The wood floors have dangerous chemicals soaked into them

Without good insulation, they will be hot in the summer and cold in the winter

Some containers transport harmful toxic chemicals

Stunning Examples Of Shipping Container Homes

Even with all the cons of a shipping container home, there are still some stunning homes that have already been built.